by Patrick Fleck "believableblue" Belfast, Northern Ireland Reviewed on November 10th, 2004
I hate the very notion of grunge, that sludgey music that gobbled in so many bands who never really deserved the label. Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots were two such bands, Pearl Jam being the best of the entire bunch. STP produced Core, their very derivative and generic debut in (what I think was) 1992 and as it was generic and derivative, it sold millions (ala Creed, Three Doors Down etc. who followed). It had good songs, no doubt, but it deserved the grunge tag. Their follow-up, Purple came as something of a shock to me. Based upon some of the same sensibilities as its' predecessor, it nevertheless contained 12 of the most focussed and grooved songs to come out of the 90's. Opener "Meatplow" grew into view with a repetitive riff and a huge sound... More of the same as Core?? No. Vasoline and Lounge Fly somewhat continue that feel but they are absolutely individual. Then they take a divergence... The stunning duo of Interstate Love Song and Still Remains couple beautiful, haunting lyrics with a great pop melody and sinuey guitars to create the two best songs (my opinion) on the album. Following this is the acoustic, 70's-styled ballad, "Pretty Penny". A good song, but one of the less-great on the album. "Silvergun Superman" returns the band to the style of their two monsterous openers, but adds a bit of depth to the mix. Following this is the Crow soundtrack song "Big Empty" a highly original play on the grunge concept, with slightly odd slide guitar jolting into a huge chorus. The follow-up to this are two more of the best songs on the album: "Unglued" and "Army Ants", which surely ranks as their most driving, thrilling song. Closer, "Kitchenware and Candybars" begins with a monotonous acoustic riff before strumming into an impressively heartfelt chorus "Sell/Sail Me Down the River". A great closing song to an amazing album. It doesn't quite rank up there with Pearl Jam's "Vs.", Soundgarden's "Superunknown" or Live's "Throwing Copper" from the era, but it's still a five star album in its' own right. I may have put across the impression I'm into this thing called "Grunge" by listing those bands above, but I hasten to add I am a fan of a wide variety of music... Springsteen, Van Morrison, Pearl Jam, Deftones, REM, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder. This is just a great album, regardless of whatever genre it got lumped in with. Essential 90's album.
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